Last month, we explored career change mistakes and how to fix them. In the conclusion of our blog post on career change mistakes, we’ll look at the value of doing your homework, updating your resume, and more.
6. Not Doing Your Homework
Once you’ve committed to making the change, you jump in with both feet. You apply for every job available, but are surprised when you don’t receive any calls. Why isn’t your new industry welcoming you with open arms?
The reason could be that you didn’t stop to do your homework on your new field. What’s a reasonable position you might be able to acquire with your experience? What salary range should you expect? In what ways should you beef up your resume, and what skills should you acquire? Taking action is great, but having a smart plan first will ensure your action yields results.
The way out of the blunder: Where you do look for information on your new career? Try the Onet, http://www.onetonline.org, professional association websites, or … [Read more...]

Several clients have graciously shared what important outcomes they’ve received from our Personal Branding Process. I’m proud to share some of them:
Extract Your Brand:
Bring Your Passions to Work
Remember your first job? The excitement and high energy level you brought to work? Now, perhaps the days aren’t quite that exciting. Even when you love the work you do, there’s a reason it’s called WORK! (Know what I mean?)
Why not consider bringing reminders to work of those outside activities or projects that pep you up, revive you, or are just plain enjoyable. Call them your passions.
My colleague Nancy Perry, senior leader at a large organization, is proud to display her hobby. “Needlework is relaxing to me. I feel a sense of accomplishment seeing the finished picture,” she told me. When someone new comes into Nancy’s office, they usually comment on her artwork. There it is — an instant conversation starter.
Express Your Brand:
Fashionista Turned Teacher
Kelly is … [Read more...]

Changing careers can be a complicated maneuver –and a mistake can set you on a course in the wrong direction. Read below about five common career change blunders and how to fix them.
1. Running from your career because you're burnt out
If you're been struggling in your current position for a long time, you’ve most likely grown to hate your job and you want to run as far away from it as possible. Take this example from one of my clients: Mary couldn’t stand her profession, so she ran to a new field: marriage and family therapy. Living the professional identity of a therapist – and dealing with the dark side of human experience – was not what she wanted. Mary needed a second reinvention to find what truly worked for her.
The way out of the blunder: Don’t wait until you are desperately unhappy in your current situation to make a change. Wherever you are today, reclaim your power in it. Make your situation better by building more respect, finding your voice, growing your … [Read more...]

Stay alert! Or you might miss a blessing. In our hurry scurry world, it’s easy to miss those little things that can make life more meaningful. Someone went out of their way to help you. A stranger said something nice to you. A friend from the past called you out of the blue.
Here are easy ways to show gratitude!
Say thank you in person. Texting and email is the easy way out. It is much more impactful to acknowledge someone in person.
Learn together. Strong leaders teach others to be leaders! If you’ve learned something relevant, share it. If you’ve read a great book, share it. If you’ve attended an exciting webinar, share it.
Give - just because. It’s always nice to receive a card for a special occasion. It’s extra special to give someone a “just because card” when they least expect it!
Thankful Thursdays. How about setting aside a few minutes on a Thursday to do or say something in gratitude? It’s a habit worth repeating.
Give with no strings attached. When you see … [Read more...]

Often career experts talk about what I call the rainbows and butterflies version of having a successful career, but this doesn’t show the complete picture. What usually happens is that the emotional challenges that come with change are treated like a movie extra when in fact it plays a lead role.
While I’m all for the “you can do it approach,” I also think we need to address the importance of having the right mindset when it comes to making a career move. You can do everything right on paper but still not make any progress because mental roadblocks are holding you back.
Here are some things you must quit if you want to move forward and elevate your personal brand.
1. Ignoring Your Personal Brand
Most people don’t set out to build their personal brand because it’s a fun wishlist item. It’s usually because they want more of something they’re currently not getting enough of—be it money, opportunities, or freedom.
Whether you openly accept this fact or begrudge the thought … [Read more...]

About This Blog

I launched this Blog with one objective - to provide unique insights and practical advice for using the power of personal branding to achieve your goals. It’s dedicated to those who want to be wildly successful by maximizing what makes them unique, relevant and compelling.

To ensure this Blog provides many points of view, I invited the Preferred Reach-Certified Personal Branding Strategists to contribute their wisdom with you as well. I encourage you to be part of the personal branding conversation.